The diagnosis of Othello's attack (IV-i. 35-80) as epilepsy which is climaxed by the folio stage direction, “Falls in a Traunce,” has long been accepted, but the significance and the imagery of the seizure have been neglected. It is true that in 1860 a doctor of medicine had objected: “Iago's designation of this [trance] as an epilepsye, of which it is the second fit, appears a mere falsehood.” However, by 1880, medical doctors and others all agreed that Othello has an attack of epilepsy. (Emery)
John P. Emery, Ph.D on Othello's epilepsy.
The diagnosis of Othello's attack (IV-i. 35-80) as epilepsy which is climaxed by the folio stage direction, “Falls in a Traunce,” has long been accepted, but the significance and the imagery of the seizure have been neglected. It is true that in 1860 a doctor of medicine had objected: “Iago's designation of this [trance] as an epilepsye, of which it is the second fit, appears a mere falsehood.” However, by 1880, medical doctors and others all agreed that Othello has an attack of epilepsy. (Emery)
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